Colonel_Reb
Hall of Famer
The Associated Press
http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1070379.html
Given the opportunity, Marcus Stone proved he could play tight end on the college level. Now, he hopes to do it in the NFL.
Stone, who started at tight end for N.C. State last season, has signed a free-agent rookie contract with the Chicago Bears. Stone was one of 28 players invited to a recent minicamp tryout for undrafted players in Lake Forest, Ill. Four were offered free-agent contracts after the camp.
"It's definitely a long shot, but I'll take it," Stone said Monday. "It was an awesome experience being in camp. It's every kid's dream, to be in an NFL locker room, to be fitted for NFL equipment, to practice with NFL coaches.
"I feel like I had a strong camp. I went in with the mind-set I'd do the best I could do and see what happens. Now, I have an opportunity to compete for a spot."
Stone was recruited as a quarterback by the Pack and started parts of two seasons. Switched to tight end, he caught 36 passes for 452 yards and one touchdown last season, playing all 12 games after starter Anthony Hill seriously injured a knee just before camp began.
The Bears have five tight ends listed on their roster, including veteran Desmond Clark, Greg Olsen and former Virginia tight end Fontel Mines. Chicago made Michigan State tight end Kellen Davis a fifth-round pick in the recent NFL draft.
Stone and Davis, 6-foot-7 and 262 pounds, trained together in January and February at Perfect Competition Inc. in Davie, Fla.
Stone, 6-2 and 239 pounds, said he soon will return to Chicago for about three weeks of conditioning and workouts, and will report to preseason camp in late July.
"I went to the minicamp hopeful of getting signed," Stone said. "I did that, so that's one more step. Now, I've got a shot."
http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1070379.html
Given the opportunity, Marcus Stone proved he could play tight end on the college level. Now, he hopes to do it in the NFL.
Stone, who started at tight end for N.C. State last season, has signed a free-agent rookie contract with the Chicago Bears. Stone was one of 28 players invited to a recent minicamp tryout for undrafted players in Lake Forest, Ill. Four were offered free-agent contracts after the camp.
"It's definitely a long shot, but I'll take it," Stone said Monday. "It was an awesome experience being in camp. It's every kid's dream, to be in an NFL locker room, to be fitted for NFL equipment, to practice with NFL coaches.
"I feel like I had a strong camp. I went in with the mind-set I'd do the best I could do and see what happens. Now, I have an opportunity to compete for a spot."
Stone was recruited as a quarterback by the Pack and started parts of two seasons. Switched to tight end, he caught 36 passes for 452 yards and one touchdown last season, playing all 12 games after starter Anthony Hill seriously injured a knee just before camp began.
The Bears have five tight ends listed on their roster, including veteran Desmond Clark, Greg Olsen and former Virginia tight end Fontel Mines. Chicago made Michigan State tight end Kellen Davis a fifth-round pick in the recent NFL draft.
Stone and Davis, 6-foot-7 and 262 pounds, trained together in January and February at Perfect Competition Inc. in Davie, Fla.
Stone, 6-2 and 239 pounds, said he soon will return to Chicago for about three weeks of conditioning and workouts, and will report to preseason camp in late July.
"I went to the minicamp hopeful of getting signed," Stone said. "I did that, so that's one more step. Now, I've got a shot."